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Irrational Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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irrational

[ɪˈræʃənl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

thinking

Not logical or reasonable; based on emotions rather than facts or reasons.

Synonyms

illogical, unreasonable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
irrational

Use when someone is acting based on emotions rather than reason or logic.

  • His fear of spiders is completely irrational
  • She made an irrational decision to quit her job without a backup plan
illogical

Use when something does not follow a sensible pattern or reasoning.

  • His argument was illogical and didn't make sense
  • The plan was illogical and bound to fail
unreasonable

Use when someone is not willing to listen or compromise, often in a way that's seen as unfair.

  • Her demands were unreasonable and couldn't be met
  • It's unreasonable to expect me to finish all this work in one day

Examples of usage

  • He was being completely irrational about the situation.
  • Her decision to quit her job seemed irrational to everyone else.
  • The fear of flying is often irrational and not based on actual statistics.
Context #2 | Adjective

mathematics

A number that cannot be expressed as a fraction; a non-terminating, non-repeating decimal.

Synonyms

non-logical, non-rational, unreasonable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
irrational

This word is often used to describe thoughts, actions, or emotions that do not make sense or cannot be explained by reason. It can be used in everyday conversation to describe behavior that lacks logical reasoning.

  • His fear of spiders is completely irrational.
  • It was irrational of her to quit her job without having another one lined up.
non-rational

Similar to 'irrational', 'non-rational' is used to describe actions or thoughts that are not based on reason or logical thinking. It is often used in academic or formal discussions.

  • Believing in superstitions is a non-rational behavior.
  • The decision seemed non-rational given the available evidence.
unreasonable

This word is commonly used in everyday language to describe demands, expectations, or behaviors that are not fair or sensible. It often carries a negative connotation.

  • It is unreasonable to expect a perfect score without studying.
  • Her demands were completely unreasonable.
non-logical

This term is less common and typically used in more technical or philosophical discussions where an emphasis is placed on the formal aspects of logic. It may also appear in academic writing.

  • The process was random and non-logical by nature.
  • His theory included several non-logical jumps.

Examples of usage

  • The square root of 2 is an irrational number.
  • Pi is an irrational number because it cannot be expressed as a simple fraction.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Irrational thoughts often arise from cognitive biases, which are patterns that can lead to poor decision-making.
  • The concept of irrationality is often examined in behavioral economics, illustrating how people can make illogical choices despite having all relevant information.

Mathematics

  • In math, an 'irrational number' is a type of number that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction, like the square root of 2 or Ï€ (pi).
  • Irrational numbers are crucial in understanding the complexities of geometry and calculus.

Literature

  • Many characters in literature exhibit irrational behavior which serves to highlight their complexities and drive the plot.
  • Classic literature often portrays protagonists facing irrational fears or desires, reinforcing themes of human folly.

Pop Culture

  • Numerous movies depict characters acting irrationally, often leading to comedic or tragic consequences.
  • Reality TV shows frequently highlight irrational decisions made in the moment, typically for dramatic effect.

Origin of 'irrational'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Latin 'irrationalis', where 'in-' means 'not' and 'rationalis' means 'understanding'.
  • It first appeared in English in the late 14th century, mainly used to describe anything that wasn't logical.

The word 'irrational' originated from the Latin word 'irrationalis', which means 'not endowed with reason'. Its usage in English dates back to the early 15th century. Initially, the term was predominantly associated with philosophical discussions on human behavior and thought processes. Over time, the word evolved to encompass various contexts, including mathematics, where it refers to numbers that cannot be expressed as fractions. Today, 'irrational' is commonly used to describe behavior or beliefs that lack logical reasoning.

See also: rationalist, rationalization, rationalize.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,546 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.